East London pupils ready to rise to the occasion

Nelson Primary School in rehearsal for Nick Allen and Brooke Laing’s production of The Rainforest musical. The premiere performance including over a thousand children from Newham schools will open the Copper Box Arena Schools’ Festival of Music and Performing Arts.”

Archant

Thousands of children are taking part in Newham’s largest inter-school music event on July 11.

The Copper Box Arena Schools Festival of Music and Performing Arts is a show involving more than 30 schools.

The showcase of musicals, mass choirs, dancing and orchestra, the scale of which has never before been seen in east London, aims to encourage children’s interaction with music in and outside of school.

It is being driven by the Newham Music Trust, which works with schools in the borough, as well as organisations like the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

As well as being a spectacle, the event will work to maximise what children get out of their musical education.

Manager Julie Sharpe said: “It’s a huge celebration of the diverse musical culture of Newham which reflects the diverse community – audiences will see some really heartwarming moments.”

The participants are aged seven to 18 and will have the opportunity to watch contributions from other schools as part of the audience.

Julie added: “This will not only be inspiring for them but raise their aspirations in terms of their own performances – for me that’s really exciting.

“This is about taking brilliant things that are happening in individual schools and putting them all in one venue. It is really raising the game and showing what Newham can do.”

Julie says that the event is going to be an opportunity to start working with other organisations to make the musical offering in Newham, bigger and better.

She said: “It is the only subject where children use both sides of the brain at the same time.

“This event is a celebration of the discipline that is needed to be able to get up there and achieve.

“The skills they learn through performance will be applied throughout their lives,” she added.

For more information about how to book tickets for the event, contact your local school.

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